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Farewell, Stevie Ralston

Revolution captain Steve Ralston, Major League Soccer’s all-time leader in games played, minutes played, and assists, announced today that he has decided not to sign with the club for the 2010 season, bringing a run of eight outstanding seasons in Foxboro to an end.

The 35-year old midfielder’s immediate future remains uncertain as he battles to recover from torn knee ligaments suffered late in the 2009 campaign.

Arguably the greatest midfielder in MLS history, Ralston has amassed 76 goals and 135 assists over the course of his 14-year professional career. The last eight seasons, the St. Louis native has collected 42 goals and 73 assists in Revolution red, white, and blue. A seven-time MLS All-Star and three-time MLS Best XI selection, Ralston is the only player to win the MLS Fair Play award three times, and one of only three Revolution players to play in all four of the club’s MLS Cup Finals.

The club released the following statement on it’s website Friday night:

“Steve Ralston has been a tremendous player, leader and ambassador for the New England Revolution since he arrived in 2002. In eight years with us, Steve has been a central figure in lifting the team to new heights of success. While we wish we were welcoming him back on Monday when the rest of the team arrives for the start of preseason, we want to thank Steve for all of his contributions and effort on our behalf – both on the field and off the field – and wish him and his family nothing but the best in all of his future endeavors.”

With just days to go before the team opens training camp for it’s 15th season, only 18 players are believed to be signed to MLS contracts. Only 16 of those players are believed to be healthy enough to participate in training.